Iran Claims U.S. Denied Visas To UN Delegation

Tehran says the United States has denied visas to Iranian officials hoping to attend a United Nations meeting in New York.

Iran's state news agency IRNA cited a statement from an Iranian judiciary body saying the United States had refused to grant visas to an Iranian delegation planning to attend a UN meeting focusing on social issues and human rights.

It did not say how many delegates were affected or when they had planned to travel.

The U.S. State Department has refused to comment, saying it does not offer public statements on visa issues.

As the UN host nation, the United States traditionally approves visas for incoming delegations regardless of disputes with individual countries.

It has, however, occasionally refused entry to Iranian government officials and professionals.